What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? Salary for Eugene, OR: GS-07: $49,025 (Step 01) to $63,733 (Step 10); GS-08: $54,292 (Step 01) to $70,578 (Step 10); Salary for Troutdale, OR: GS-07: $52,734 (Step 01) to $68,556 (Step 10); GS-08: $58,400 (Step 01) to $75,919 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Duties

As a Hydrologic Technician within the Oregon Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include: Uses resourcefulness to make stream discharge measurement, using the various techniques, equipment, and protocols depending upon field conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Observes and makes detailed notes of various hydraulic or environmental conditions which may have a bearing on discharge. Reviews gage-height data and discharge measurements to check methods and accuracy of computation. Plots and analyzes differences in hydrographs by comparing records and makes changes to correct inconsistencies in data. Performs routine phases of statistical and technical analyses of the hydrologic data collected in the field. Enters, retrieves, edits, and analyzes hydrologic data using one or more of several databases, spreadsheet, and graphics software programs. Monitors water-qualify sampling frequencies for timely data collection and reports discrepancies. Installs, maintains, and services a variety of sensing, recording and communications equipment and instrumentation. Troubleshoots selected hydrologic instrumentation in the office. Maintains repair logs on hydrologic instrumentation. Calibrates meters and analytical equipment. Determines appropriate equipment for field or laboratory activities depending upon data collection needs and field conditions. With general instructions, establishes vertical and horizontal datums using appropriate survey and geo-stationary reference techniques using well-established electronic forms. Flags high-water marks and documents their reliability. Measures and records crest-stage gage high-water marks. Operates a government vehicle as an incidental driver. Operates and/or maintains motorized watercraft. Note: The duties listed above are at the GS-08 level. For the lower grade level, more assistance, instruction, guidance, oversight, review and supervision will be provided. Physical Demands: This position requires moderate periods of standing and sitting while in the office. While in the field, considerable walking, lifting, bending, climbing, stream wading, or working in motorized watercraft is necessary to collect data. Work Environment: Office conditions do not require special safety precautions; field conditions may include extreme heat or cold, rain, or snow; hazardous conditions such as ice or flooding; or exposure to irritant or toxic chemicals. Work may require the use of personal protective equipment such as masks, coats, boots, goggles, respirators, or life jackets.

Requirements

Qualifications

For GS-07: Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. Specialized experience may include work as a technician or aid in engineering, earth, physical, or natural science, forestry, soil conservation, or surveying; trades or crafts work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology; drafting; or construction estimating if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Examples of GS-06 level assignments include: 1) Installing, adjusting, inspecting, and servicing crest-stage indicators, well-recorders, and other instruments for the collection of ground and surface water data; and checking gage settings to ensure continuing accuracy of the records obtained from instruments; 2) Measuring stream discharge utilizing various devices; observing and noting conditions that may have a bearing on stage-discharge relationships; making and compiling observations of the fluctuations of ground water levels in designated wells; and collecting water samples for chemical analysis. For examples 1-2, routine assignments that involved familiar conditions, concepts, and methods, were made in terms of the objectives to be achieved without explicit instruction as to work methods. Assignments involving new, more difficult, or unfamiliar areas of work were given with more specific guidance. Explicit instructions were provided for solving technical problems involving unfamiliar conditions, methods, or concepts. **OR Applicants may substitute successful completion of 1 year of appropriate graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in hydrology or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 year of specialized experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position. **OR Applicants may substitute a combination of appropriate specialized experience (as described above) and appropriate graduate level education (as described above) that is beyond the first 1/2 year of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements. For GS-08: Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-08 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. Specialized experience may include work as a technician or aid in engineering, earth, physical, or natural science, forestry, soil conservation, or surveying; trades or crafts work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology; drafting; or construction estimating if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Examples of GS-07 level assignments include: 1) Installing, adjusting, inspecting, and servicing crest-stage indicators, well-recorders, and other instruments for the collection of ground and surface water data; and checking gage settings to ensure continuing accuracy of the records obtained from instruments; 2) Measuring stream discharge utilizing various devices; observing and noting conditions that may have a bearing on stage-discharge relationships; making and compiling observations of the fluctuations of ground water levels in designated wells; and collecting water samples for chemical analysis. For examples 1-2, the work assignments involved some technical problems not previously encountered; problems involving concepts and methods for which guides and precedents existed, were resolved independently. General oral instructions relative to the time to be allotted to certain functions, expected time of completion of assignments, possible technical problems which may be encountered, and approaches that may be used in resolving these problems were provided. **OR Applicants may substitute successful completion of 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours, 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's degree or possession of a master's degree in hydrology or other field of study directly related to the work of this position for the required 1 year of specialized experience if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of this position. **OR Applicants may substitute a combination of appropriate specialized experience (as described above) and appropriate graduate level education (as described above) that is beyond the first 1 1/2 years of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

• Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
• Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

Contacts

• Address FIELD OFFC - PORTLAND 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US
• Name: Beverly Ledbetter
• Phone: 916-278-9396
• Email: [email protected]